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Conflict Europe

Illyrian Wars

229 BCE – 168 BCE · Three separate campaigns

The Illyrian Wars were three separate Roman campaigns across the Adriatic in 229–228, 219 and 168 BCE. Rome fought Teuta, Demetrius of Pharos and Gentius in turn. The date range covers a series of conflicts, rather than 61 years of continuous fighting.

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Causes and outcome

First Illyrian War: 229–228 BCE

Polybius connects Rome’s intervention to attacks on Italian traders and the killing of a Roman envoy. Roman forces took coastal communities under their protection. Teuta’s settlement imposed tribute and restrictions on Illyrian ships sailing south of Lissus.

Polybius, Histories 2.8–12

Second Illyrian War: 219 BCE

Demetrius of Pharos attacked cities under Roman protection and sailed beyond the treaty’s limit. Rome sent Lucius Aemilius, who captured Dimale and defeated him at Pharos. Demetrius escaped to the Macedonian king Philip.

Polybius, Histories 3.16–19

Third Illyrian War: 168 BCE

Gentius sided with Perseus of Macedon during Rome’s Macedonian war. Lucius Anicius defeated him, and Gentius surrendered with his family. This was the final campaign in the series shown here.

Livy, Periochae 44.6–8

Wikipedia

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Illyrian Wars on Wikipedia.

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Belligerents

The main peoples, kingdoms and states involved.

  • Roman Republic
  • Illyrian kingdoms

Key moments

Defining events in the Illyrian Wars.

  1. 229-228 BC First Illyrian War
  2. 219 BC Battle of Pharos
  3. 168 BC Third Illyrian War

Elsewhere in Europe at the time

Records whose own span overlaps this one, found by the same test the canvas draws with. The bar under each card is where it sits inside this one.

See the whole view

Landmark · Europe

Colossus of Rhodes

282 BCE – 226 BCE

Polity · Europe

minor states

Attested 200 BCE – 100 BCE

Trade route · Europe

Amber Road

1000 BCE – 400 CE

Conflict · Europe

Roman Conquest of Greece

214 BCE – 146 BCE

Landmark · Europe

Plitvice Lakes

3000 BCE – still standing

Polity · Europe

Pergamon

Founded 800 BCE · attested to 200 BCE

Conflict · Europe

Roman–Numidian Wars

206 BCE – 46 BCE

Landmark · Europe

Giant's Causeway

3000 BCE – still standing

Dated moments inside this span

Events the timeline places between 229 BCE and 168 BCE.

229 BCE Cleomenean War 216 BCE Battle of Cannae 214 BCE Roman Conquest of Greece 206 BCE Roman–Numidian Wars 202 BCE Battle of Zama

And in the rest of the world

Records running through the same years, on the other side of the map.

Teotihuacan Landmark · Americas 200 BCE – still standing Saka Kingdom Polity · South Asia 199 BCE – 400 CE Silk Road Trade route · East Asia 200 BCE – 1450 CE Warring States Period Conflict · East Asia 475 BCE – 221 BCE Yose ben Yoezer Figure · Judea 200 BCE – 161 BCE Ajanta Caves Landmark · South Asia 200 BCE – still standing
Image credits 6 pictures from Wikimedia Commons